Teenage hero’s water rescue

WATER hero... Nathan McGarry at Cowm Reservoir, where he pulled off a dramatic rescue.

Share

Get daily updates directly to your inbox

Thank you for subscribing!

Could not subscribe, try again laterInvalid Email

A FIFTEEN-year-old schoolboy is being hailed a hero after rescuing an elderly man from Cowm Reservoir.

Nathan McGarry, who was on a two-week work experience placement at Whitworth Water Ski Centre, was one of three people who rushed to 84-year-old George O'Neil's rescue when they spotted him in the water.

When they reached him he was floating face down, but they managed to drag him out of the water.

"His face was blue and he was not breathing," Nathan said.

His pal Scott Pepler gave Mr O'Neil mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, while Nathan raced to the ski centre to call an ambulance.

The youngster was given first aid instructions from the paramedics by telephone until they arrived. By then Mr O'Neil was breathing again, but it was very shallow.

Mr O'Neil was taken to Rochdale Infirmary, but later transferred to the University Hospital Aintree, Liverpool.

On Thursday, the hospital said he remained poorly, but there had been a slight improvement to his condition.

The youngster explained: "Scott Pepler and my father, Nick, were looking after the water-ski centre while manager Andy Knowles was in Australia

"I had seen this man on the jetty earlier and told him it wasn't allowed.

"Scott and I went out on the reservoir in a boat, but when I looked back, I saw the man was in the water."

Nathan, who alerted his colleague, explained: "At first he thought I was messing about. When he realised I wasn't, he spun the boat round and we rushed back. One of the water-skiers, Chris Lannin, came to help us."

Mr Knowles, just back from Australia, said: "When I heard what had happened and how they'd handled it all I was very proud of them.

"Especially, Nathan, he was fanatastic. What he did was way beyond his years and above and beyond the call of duty."

The modest youngster, who goes to school in Bury, has been going to the water ski centre with his parents, Nick and Caroline for the past five years.

He said: "I was okay afterwards. We did what we could and managed to keep him alive."

His father Nick said: "We have emergency procedures at the centre and they worked. I am very pleased with all of them.

"When you work in dangerous sports it helps to keep a cool head. I think Nathan has shown he's got what it takes. He's a credit to his family and the centre."